Blast From the Past - 40th Birthday Dinner at Bar Charlie

I really am trying to clean out my email inbox but the task is just a little too daunting.  As I was going back through some old emails trying to figure out why I still had them, I came across an email from 2009 that I had saved.  I'd forgotten that the most memorable (and most expensive and longest duration) meal we have EVER had was captured by a very nice staff member who took the time to grant my request for a copy of the menu that we enjoyed.  It was August 31, 2009 and we had reservations at Bar Charlie at the Palazzo in Las Vegas.  I remember being very excited about our first-ever Omakase experience and it did not disappoint.  It took us 5 hours to eat our way through 15 courses that included beverage pairing.  Our courses were paired with champagne, wine, cocktails, AND sake.  The only menu we have ever come across, so far, to pair a meal with cocktails and sake.

Here's what we had that evening:

An Evening in Bar Charlie  

Monday, August 31, 2009  

Japanese Tai, Black Grapes & Celery  

~NV Prosecco di Valdobbiadene "Rustico" Nino Franco~  

 

Iwashi, Watermelom & Kitagawa Yuzu  

~Plymouth Gin, Yellow VEP, Lemon Verbena, Lemon Coriander Bitters~  

 

Spanish Blue Fin Tuna, Umeboshi & Seawater  

~ The Cat's Meow Cocktail ~  

 

Heirloom Tomato with Cucumber & Avacado  

~2008 Sauvignon Blanc "Te Muna Road" Craggy Range, Martinborough, New Zealand~  

 

Spanish Blue Fin Tuna Tartare, Hijiki Seaweed & Daikon  

~ 2007 Rias Baixas, Albarino, Martin Codax ~  

 

Tasmanian Ocean Trout,Fennel & Pearled Barley  

~2007 Carl Von Schubert Riesling "Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg" Mosel, Germany ~  

 

Japanese Big Fin Squid, Lemon & Kanzuri Carrots  

~NV Champagne Chareles de Casonove "Premier Cru" Brut Rose, France ~  

 

Diver Sea Scallop, Bloomsdale Spinach & Japanese Turnip  

~ Masumi "Arabashiri-First Run" Nama Junmai Ginjo Gen-shu, Miyasaka Shuzo, Nagano-ken ~  

 

Maine Lobster, Beets & Tokyo Scallions  

~2006 Pinot Noir , Drew "Fog Eater" Anderson Valley California~  

 

Hamachi Belly, Green Curry & Braised Red Cabbage  

~2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chappellet "Signature" Napa Valley, California~  

 

Braised Miyazaki-gyu Strip Loin, Asian Pear & Plum  

~ 2006 Priorat "Les Terraces" Alvaro Palacios,  Spain ~  

 

Japanese Green Tea Sponge Cake, Caramelized Peaches & Plum Sorbet  

~ 2006 Riesling Beerenauslese "Wehlener Sonnenuhr"  Hauth Kerpen, Mosel, Germany ~  

 

Basil Semifreddo, Strawberries & Olive Oil Ice Cream  

~2003 Tokaji-Aszú "5 Puttonyos" Royal Tokaji Wine Company, Hungary~  

 

Dark Chocolate, Banana & Roasted Hazelnut  

~1979 Montilla-Moriles "PX Gran Reserva" Bodegas Toro Albalá, Spain~  

 

 
I don't remember exactly what the meal cost but it was worth every penny.  We were so so so sad to hear that Bar Charlie closed its doors not long after we had dined there.  Now to go and hunt down the pictures from that wonderful evening...